Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

News Releases

Page 37 of 66

  • 4/27/2020 DEEP Reminds Residents to be Bear Aware

    Early spring is the time of year in which bear activity increases, and understanding that the vast majority of state residents are spending considerable amounts of time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents that DEEP staff continue to be available to respond to situations involving black bears, and to take steps to reduce encounters and potential conflicts with bears.

  • 9/24/2020 DEEP to Re-Open Lattins Cove Boat Launch at Half Capacity

    The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that Lattins Cove state boat launch on Candlewood Lake will re-open tomorrow at 50% capacity.

  • 8/30/2024 DEEP Urges Caution as State Park Lifeguard Presence Reduced on Labor Day Weekend

    (HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today reminded State Park visitors that the number of lifeguards at State Park swimming areas will be reduced over Labor Day weekend, and that Monday, September 2nd, will be the last day for lifeguard coverage in the State Park swimming areas.

  • 10/18/2024 DEEP Requests Proposals for Grants for Aquatic Invasive Species Control on Lakes Ponds and Rivers

    (HARTFORD, CT) –The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting proposals for the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Grant Program for 2025. Applications will be accepted through December 6, 2024. Please visit the DEEP AIS Grant Program website for details on how to apply for 2025 grants.

  • 11/14/2024 DEEP Announces Firearms Deer Hunting Season Begins November 20

    (HARTFORD, CT)- Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today issued a reminder that a variety of hunting seasons are currently underway or about to begin, most notably the opening of the fall firearms deer season on Wednesday, November 20. Specific deer hunting season information is available on the DEEP 2024 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide web page.

  • 6/5/2018 DEEP EnCon Police Recovers Body on Long Island Sound

    The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) with the assistance of Old Saybrook Police, on Tuesday morning recovered a body on Long Island Sound off the coast of Old Saybrook.

  • 6/4/2018 EnCon Investigating Vandalism at Lake Williams State Park

    The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) is presently investigating vandalism that took place at Lake Williams State Park Scenic Reserve in Lebanon over the weekend.

  • 6/4/2018 Governor’s Greenways Council Presents 19th Annual Greenways Awards

    The Governor’s Greenways Council on Friday commended eight individuals, and a volunteer committee of the Last Green Valley, that have made significant contributions to the promotion, development and enhancement of Greenways – linear open space in Connecticut – and designated three new State greenways at a ceremony at the Nathan Lester House, in Ledyard.

  • 4/3/2019 Seed Celebrations

    Spring is coming and gardens are being planned.

  • 4/4/2019 Grant Funds Available for Marine Pumpout Programs to Protect Waters of Long Island Sound

    Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that it is seeking grant proposals from owners and operators of public or private marine facilities on Long Island Sound and Candlewood Lake for the installation of a new marine sewage disposal facility (MSDF); facilities with existing MSDFs in need of substantial repairs or upgrades; and from those seeking funding to operate new or existing MSDFs, including pumpout boats and central vacuum pumpout systems which are incorporated within the marina or boatyard dock system.

  • 7/3/2020 DEEP Issues Updated State Park Operations Plan Heading into July 4th

    As we approach July 4th weekend, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has released an updated operational plan that outlines for DEEP staff and visitors current guidelines around the operation and use of Connecticut state park grounds, trails, beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas and pavilions, boat launches and other areas as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 6/24/2020 DEEP Issues Third Quarterly Update on 20BY20 Initiative

    The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently released the third quarterly update for its 20BY20 initiative, a set of 20 goals that focus on improving the predictability, efficiency, and transparency of DEEP’s regulatory processes by the end of the year.

  • 10/1/2020 CT Greenways Council Holds 21st Annual CT Greenway Awards October 1

    The Connecticut Greenways Council (CGC) will hold its 21st Annual CT Greenway Awards on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. at the Rotary Pavilion in Charter Oak Park in Manchester. The event will celebrate the Charter Oak Greenway, Manchester’s Charter Oak Park, and the Community of Manchester, CT. The CGC consists of members appointed by the Governor and the leaders of the General Assembly. Their duties include advising and assisting in the coordination of state agencies, municipalities, regional planning organizations and private citizens in voluntarily planning and implementing a system of greenways. A greenway is a corridor of open space that may protect natural resources, preserve scenic landscapes and historical resources or offer opportunities for recreation or nonmotorized transportation. A greenway may also connect existing protected areas and provide access to the outdoors; may be located along a defining natural feature, such as a waterway; along a man-made corridor, including an unused right-of-way, traditional trail routes or historic barge canals; or may be a greenspace along a highway or around a village. Greenways in Connecticut cover thousands of acres throughout every county in the state and may include paved or unpaved trail systems, ridgelines, or linked parcels of open space. Many other communities around Connecticut have chosen, through greenway designation, to recognize the importance of river corridors for natural resource protection, recreational opportunities, and scenic values. The CT Greenways Council website contains details on how to get designations, assistance and a map of our State Greenways: http://www.ct.gov/deep/greenways. Each year, the CGC holds an awards ceremony to celebrate greenways and to highlight the efforts of individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the promotion, development and enhancement of the state’s greenways. Event speakers include CGC Chair Bruce Donald, Manchester Mayor Jay Moran, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Deputy Commissioner Mason Trumble, and Dr. Bob Rodney, past Rotary President and past Greenway awardee, who will offer brief comments about an October 3 Rotary in Motion event leaving from Charter Oak Park. "Once again I'm very pleased to host the Trails Awards,” CGC Chair Bruce Donald said. “In this year of COVID-19 we have seen trail usage grow across the state anywhere from 60% to 220%, proving our outdoor facilities are magnets for folks desperate for safe outdoor enjoyment. It is a great joy to honor those advocates, professionals, and municipalities that make all of the various types of trails possible in our state." Trumble, who will be speaking about the importance of greenways, underscored their importance from both an access and a health standpoint. “Greenways provide an accessible venue for all people to enjoy the outdoors,” Trumble said. “Outdoor spaces provide an immeasurable mental and physical health benefit to Connecticut residents – especially during a pandemic. Greenways provide a valuable economic benefit as well. Currently outdoor recreation is driving Connecticut’s tourism economy as people look to the outdoors to replace other forms of entertainment. Certainly, Connecticut’s greenways have never been more important than they are in 2020. I commend the great work of the CGC and this year’s awardees for all that they have done—and continue to do—to preserve and raise awareness about these open spaces.” Prior to the event, at 3 p.m., those interested have the option of participating in a walk on the Charter Oak Greenway or a mountain bike ride at Case Mountain. The ride will be led by Al Tinti of the New England Mountain Biking Association. Please contact peburton@aol.com for more ride information. Safe social distancing will be practiced at this event. Attendees are asked to be mindful of this and to please be considerate of others. This year’s awardees are: • Bike-Walk Bolton, will receive the CT Greenways Council’s Nonprofit Award. • Aaron Budris, Senior Regional Planner at Naugatuck Valley COG - will receive the CT Greenways Council’s Unsung Hero Award. • Penny Foisey, the Connecticut Horse Council Volunteer Horse Patrol Coordinator for Mashamoquet State Park and Pomfret, will receive the CT Greenways Council’s Volunteer Award. • The Ebony Horsewomen Junior Mounted Patrol (JMP) program will receive the CT Greenways Council’s Community Connection Award. • Amy Hernandez and Andrés Calle-Otero, of Latino Outdoors Connecticut, will receive the CT Greenways Council’s User Engagement Award. • Meg Sautter of Newington will receive the CT Greenways Council’s Volunteer Award. • Matthew House, President of CT Off-Road Enthusiasts Coalition (COREC), will receive the CT Greenways Council’s Advocacy Award. • Kim Bradley, President of South East CT NEMBA, will receive the CT Greenways Council’s Volunteer Award. • Scott Bushee, P.E., Project Manager in Highway Design at DOT, will receive the CT Greenways Council’s Design Award. • Charlie Tracy will receive the CT Greenways Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award. *Debbie Livingston, who received the 2019 CT Greenways Council’s Volunteer Award, will be presented with her award at the Oct. 1 ceremony, as she was unable to attend last year’s event. More at: portal.ct.gov/deep| Follow on Facebook at CTDEEP| Follow on Twitter @CTDEEPNews ###

  • 9/29/2020 DEEP Responding to Oil Spill in Sympaug Brook in Danbury

    The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is overseeing the clean-up of an oil spill into the Sympaug Brook in Danbury, which flows into the Still River.

  • 7/3/2024 DEEP Stew Leonard and Greater Waterbury YMCA Highlight the Importance of Water Safety

    (HARTFORD)—Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Deputy Commissioner Mason Trumble joined Stew Leonard, Jr., President and CEO of regional supermarket company Stew Leonard’s, and Co-founder of the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation; and officials from the Greater Waterbury YMCA Wednesday at Black Rock State Park to promote swimming safety and the importance of swim lessons, ahead of what’s likely to be a busy July Fourth holiday weekend on Connecticut waterbodies. DEEP Lifeguards also conducted a water safety demonstration Wednesday with children from the Greater Waterbury YMCA.